Feral Crown: An Age Gap Romance (Crown Brothers Book 4)

“You’re up next, doll!” The head dancer calls out to me as I finish up my makeup.

It’s been three months since I started working here, and even though this gig started off as a ploy to ruffle Maverick’s feathers, I quite enjoy what I do. There’s this heady sense of empowerment, being able to bring men to their knees with just a little wiggle and shake.

“I’m coming!” I turn toward the door, ready to hit the stage but I hit a hard chest instead.

“Like fuck you are.” Maverick growls down at me, his thick fingers digging into my naked waist and making a full-bodied shiver wrack through me. I realize I’m wearing no more than underwear in front of the man that’s plagued my dreams for as long as I can remember, and my body has definitely taken notice.

“Mav?” His name comes out a soft whisper, I’m surprised he can even hear it.

“Don’t you Mav me.” His grip tightens around me as he pulls me harder into his towering frame. “What the fuck is this, Mel?”

Maverick’s eyes move behind me as he survey’s the changing room, clearly displeased with what he sees.

“Hey. You aren’t supposed to be back here!” I whisper-shriek, trying to wiggle out of his hold, but he isn’t having it.

“Answer me, Melissa. What are you doing here?” His piercing eyes find mine and I’m immobilized, turning into the puddle of mush he always manages to make me.

“Working. I’m working.” I stare back at him defiantly, unwilling to back down.

He scoffs, his chest vibrating so close to my lips I’m tempted to lean in and kiss it. “No. You aren’t. Not anymore.” His hands fall from my waist and trail down to my hips before he turns me around and pushes me toward the vanity I’d just left. “Get your shit. We’re leaving.”

“Oh, no. I’m not.” Now that I’m not engulfed in his scent and can finally think again, I’ve regained my senses. “This is my job, Maverick. I can’t just leave. You heard Candy. I’m up next.”

I swear I hear my crush outright growl before I’m being hoisted in the air, my body being cradled bridal style as we make it past the vanity and toward the rear exit. “Fuck your things, I can get them later.”

Instinctively, my arms wrap around Maverick’s thick shoulders before I’m registering what he’s just said. “Hold up! I can’t just leave!”

“You can, and you are.”

“Hey! You don’t get to decide that! You aren’t my father!” I’m beating on his chest now, trying to get him to slow down, but it’s having no effect.

“Yes, I do. I may not be your father, but you clearly need a Daddy.” He’s staring straight ahead, eyes laser focused on the door.

“Maverick! No!” I give his chest one hard shove. “You don’t get to abandon me and then come in here and call the shots.”

We stop so fast I’m surprised we haven’t hit some invisible barrier.

“Abandoned you?” Maverick is finally looking down at me, his eyes incredulous. “What on God’s green earth makes you think I’ve abandoned you?”

My face heats at this realization. Truth be told, I wasn’t even aware I felt that way. But I guess it makes sense.

Sighing, I sink back into his hold, pressing my cheek against a rock-hard pectoral that has me almost forgetting I’m mad. Almost.

“You left me. What else would you call it? For three years, you’ve trailed me like a second shadow, and then a couple of months ago you vanished without so much as a goodbye.”

His body stiffens beneath me, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. Good.

“I had some business to handle. But it doesn’t matter. I’m here now.”

I scrunch my face, hating that it bothers me so much. I shouldn’t care. Shouldn’t be hung up on this guy who clearly only sees me as a burden.

I’m about to tell him that it does matter. That he isn’t my keeper and that I can make my own decisions when the door to the outside opens and one of the bouncers steps in.

“Mel—” Looking back I see it’s Johnny, and by the color of his face I can see he isn’t thrilled. “What the fuck is this? You know boyfriends aren’t allowed back here.”

“I’m not—”

“We’re not—”

Mav and I go to answer at the same time, our befuddled responses only serving to cause Johnny more concern if his raised brow and clenching jaw are any indication.

“Someone better answer me quick, or I’m about to beat this man’s ass.”

“I’d like to see you fuckin’ try,” Mav growls as his fingers dig deeper into my flesh, his body going rigid next to mine.

“Hey, hey. There’s no need for dick measuring.” Needing to prevent a fight, I step in—well, as much as my current position allows. “Mav was just about to leave, right?”

I look back at my captor, eyes narrowing, willing him to agree. But of course, he doesn’t.

“Only way I’m leaving is with you, baby doll.” He raises a brow, not giving a shit that my nails are digging into his very muscular traps right now.

“Yeah. That’s not going to work.” Johnny stares Maverick down as he takes one step closer. “She’s needed on stage.”

“She doesn’t work here anymore.”

“Maverick!” I shriek, slapping at his chest with the palm of my hand. “You can’t say that! I’ll lose my job!”

“Good.” The one word comes out more of a grunt than English, but it comes out clear enough for Johnny to hear.

“I don’t think she’s in agreement with you, so I suggest you put her down.”

“I won’t be doing that, so I suggest you get out of my way.”

“That’s not happening.” Before I can fully assess what’s going on, Johnny moves to rip me out of Maverick’s arms.

A bad move. My brother’s best friend has always been a force to be reckoned with, but now? He seems downright lethal.

In one fluid motion, one arm places me on the ground while the other reaches for Johnny’s throat and Maverick’s meaty fingers grip onto his opponent’s windpipe like it’s Willy Wonka’s last golden ticket.

“No! Stop!” I’m shrieking as I climb Maverick’s back.

My arms are clinging to his shoulders as I try to pry the two apart, but neither are budging. Johnny is trying to hold his own, but the poor guy is turning blue, and I don’t know how much more he can take.

“You’re going to kill him! Stop! Please!” I plead with all I have but nothing gives. I might as well be talking to a wall.

Feeling all hope leave me, I drop to my knees, my arms still trailing above me as I cling to Maverick’s legs. This action seems to break my protector from his trance because he’s now looking at me, a visible shudder wracking his body while his eyes rake over my bare flesh.

The climbing must have jostled my top and my breasts are now exposed to both men, and what I see shakes me to my core.

Hunger like no other blazes in Maverick’s eyes. The man is starved for every inch of me as his jaw clenches and his stare roams me up and down.

I can’t help it. The sheer lust running through me has a whimper escaping from my lips and it’s enough to break the spell I cast on the man of my dreams. Just like a red flag, the sound turns Maverick into a raging bull and there’s no stopping what ensues.

As if on instinct, Maverick’s head whips back to Johnny whose stare is locked on me. “Eyes off her, or I’ll rip them out.”

Johnny laughs sardonically. “Oh, this is rich. You do know she works at a titty bar, right?”

I’ve never once felt dirty for what I do, but right now, listening to Johnny, I can’t help but feel icky. My arms quickly wrap around my body protecting it from unwanted glances and Maverick doesn’t miss a beat, with a rapid one-two, he’s punched out Johnny’s eyes—the bouncer now stumbling back into the door he’d closed not moments before.

“What in-the-ever-loving—” Candy walks in and gasps at the site before her. “Melissa?! You know the rules! No boyfriends in the club! This is grounds for termination.” She’s rushing over to poor Johnny who’s a crumpled mess on the floor while Mav looks like he doesn’t have a lick of guilt for the chaos he’s just caused.

“Good. She isn’t coming back.” He’s narrowing his eyes at my manager, and I swear he’s just signed his death warrant.

“Maverick!” I get up, momentarily forgetting about my state of undress.

But I’m quickly reminded by his laser focus dropping to my chest, his eyes narrowing before he averts his gaze.

“No, I think he’s right. You pull in clients, honey, but no talent is worth taking out our best muscle.”

At this Mav snorts, smug either about the fact that he just took out what she calls their best or that he’s gotten me fired.

“Candy, please! Give me another chance. He isn’t my boyfriend, and this is just a misunderstanding.”

She looks between the three of us, an eyebrow raised. “He isn’t your boyfriend?”

“No. Definitely not. He’s my brother’s best friend. A little overprotective, but not my boyfriend.” I look toward Maverick and see that his arms are crossed over his chest, but he doesn’t dispute me. Thank God. I’d strangle him on the spot if he did.

“Tell you what. Since you are a customer favorite, I’ll let you take the night off and handle—whatever this is. But I expect you back tomorrow night, and if you give me any more shit, you’re out. You hear me?” She’s pursing her lips, her arched brow reaching higher if that’s even possible.

“Yes, Candy. Thank you so much.” I’m practically bowing in gratitude when Maverick places his flannel over me, his thick arms cradling me in that bridal position once more.

“Not your boyfriend my ass,” Candy mumbles under her breath as she leans down to assess Johnny’s damage.

I’m about to reassure her one last time but I’m carried through the threshold before I can say a word. And as the chilly night air dances across my skin,

“You’re up next, doll!” The head dancer calls out to me as I finish up my makeup.

It’s been three months since I started working here, and even though this gig started off as a ploy to ruffle Maverick’s feathers, I quite enjoy what I do. There’s this heady sense of empowerment, being able to bring men to their knees with just a little wiggle and shake.

“I’m coming!” I turn toward the door, ready to hit the stage but I hit a hard chest instead.

“Like fuck you are.” Maverick growls down at me, his thick fingers digging into my naked waist and making a full-bodied shiver wrack through me. I realize I’m wearing no more than underwear in front of the man that’s plagued my dreams for as long as I can remember, and my body has definitely taken notice.

“Mav?” His name comes out a soft whisper, I’m surprised he can even hear it.

“Don’t you Mav me.” His grip tightens around me as he pulls me harder into his towering frame. “What the fuck is this, Mel?”

Maverick’s eyes move behind me as he survey’s the changing room, clearly displeased with what he sees.

“Hey. You aren’t supposed to be back here!” I whisper-shriek, trying to wiggle out of his hold, but he isn’t having it.

“Answer me, Melissa. What are you doing here?” His piercing eyes find mine and I’m immobilized, turning into the puddle of mush he always manages to make me.

“Working. I’m working.” I stare back at him defiantly, unwilling to back down.

He scoffs, his chest vibrating so close to my lips I’m tempted to lean in and kiss it. “No. You aren’t. Not anymore.” His hands fall from my waist and trail down to my hips before he turns me around and pushes me toward the vanity I’d just left. “Get your shit. We’re leaving.”

“Oh, no. I’m not.” Now that I’m not engulfed in his scent and can finally think again, I’ve regained my senses. “This is my job, Maverick. I can’t just leave. You heard Candy. I’m up next.”

I swear I hear my crush outright growl before I’m being hoisted in the air, my body being cradled bridal style as we make it past the vanity and toward the rear exit. “Fuck your things, I can get them later.”

Instinctively, my arms wrap around Maverick’s thick shoulders before I’m registering what he’s just said. “Hold up! I can’t just leave!”

“You can, and you are.”

“Hey! You don’t get to decide that! You aren’t my father!” I’m beating on his chest now, trying to get him to slow down, but it’s having no effect.

“Yes, I do. I may not be your father, but you clearly need a Daddy.” He’s staring straight ahead, eyes laser focused on the door.

“Maverick! No!” I give his chest one hard shove. “You don’t get to abandon me and then come in here and call the shots.”

We stop so fast I’m surprised we haven’t hit some invisible barrier.

“Abandoned you?” Maverick is finally looking down at me, his eyes incredulous. “What on God’s green earth makes you think I’ve abandoned you?”

My face heats at this realization. Truth be told, I wasn’t even aware I felt that way. But I guess it makes sense.

Sighing, I sink back into his hold, pressing my cheek against a rock-hard pectoral that has me almost forgetting I’m mad. Almost.

“You left me. What else would you call it? For three years, you’ve trailed me like a second shadow, and then a couple of months ago you vanished without so much as a goodbye.”

His body stiffens beneath me, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. Good.

“I had some business to handle. But it doesn’t matter. I’m here now.”

I scrunch my face, hating that it bothers me so much. I shouldn’t care. Shouldn’t be hung up on this guy who clearly only sees me as a burden.

I’m about to tell him that it does matter. That he isn’t my keeper and that I can make my own decisions when the door to the outside opens and one of the bouncers steps in.

“Mel—” Looking back I see it’s Johnny, and by the color of his face I can see he isn’t thrilled. “What the fuck is this? You know boyfriends aren’t allowed back here.”

“I’m not—”

“We’re not—”

Mav and I go to answer at the same time, our befuddled responses only serving to cause Johnny more concern if his raised brow and clenching jaw are any indication.

“Someone better answer me quick, or I’m about to beat this man’s ass.”

“I’d like to see you fuckin’ try,” Mav growls as his fingers dig deeper into my flesh, his body going rigid next to mine.

“Hey, hey. There’s no need for dick measuring.” Needing to prevent a fight, I step in—well, as much as my current position allows. “Mav was just about to leave, right?”

I look back at my captor, eyes narrowing, willing him to agree. But of course, he doesn’t.

“Only way I’m leaving is with you, baby doll.” He raises a brow, not giving a shit that my nails are digging into his very muscular traps right now.

“Yeah. That’s not going to work.” Johnny stares Maverick down as he takes one step closer. “She’s needed on stage.”

“She doesn’t work here anymore.”

“Maverick!” I shriek, slapping at his chest with the palm of my hand. “You can’t say that! I’ll lose my job!”

“Good.” The one word comes out more of a grunt than English, but it comes out clear enough for Johnny to hear.

“I don’t think she’s in agreement with you, so I suggest you put her down.”

“I won’t be doing that, so I suggest you get out of my way.”

“That’s not happening.” Before I can fully assess what’s going on, Johnny moves to rip me out of Maverick’s arms.

A bad move. My brother’s best friend has always been a force to be reckoned with, but now? He seems downright lethal.

In one fluid motion, one arm places me on the ground while the other reaches for Johnny’s throat and Maverick’s meaty fingers grip onto his opponent’s windpipe like it’s Willy Wonka’s last golden ticket.

“No! Stop!” I’m shrieking as I climb Maverick’s back.

My arms are clinging to his shoulders as I try to pry the two apart, but neither are budging. Johnny is trying to hold his own, but the poor guy is turning blue, and I don’t know how much more he can take.

“You’re going to kill him! Stop! Please!” I plead with all I have but nothing gives. I might as well be talking to a wall.

Feeling all hope leave me, I drop to my knees, my arms still trailing above me as I cling to Maverick’s legs. This action seems to break my protector from his trance because he’s now looking at me, a visible shudder wracking his body while his eyes rake over my bare flesh.

The climbing must have jostled my top and my breasts are now exposed to both men, and what I see shakes me to my core.

Hunger like no other blazes in Maverick’s eyes. The man is starved for every inch of me as his jaw clenches and his stare roams me up and down.

I can’t help it. The sheer lust running through me has a whimper escaping from my lips and it’s enough to break the spell I cast on the man of my dreams. Just like a red flag, the sound turns Maverick into a raging bull and there’s no stopping what ensues.

As if on instinct, Maverick’s head whips back to Johnny whose stare is locked on me. “Eyes off her, or I’ll rip them out.”

Johnny laughs sardonically. “Oh, this is rich. You do know she works at a titty bar, right?”

I’ve never once felt dirty for what I do, but right now, listening to Johnny, I can’t help but feel icky. My arms quickly wrap around my body protecting it from unwanted glances and Maverick doesn’t miss a beat, with a rapid one-two, he’s punched out Johnny’s eyes—the bouncer now stumbling back into the door he’d closed not moments before.

“What in-the-ever-loving—” Candy walks in and gasps at the site before her. “Melissa?! You know the rules! No boyfriends in the club! This is grounds for termination.” She’s rushing over to poor Johnny who’s a crumpled mess on the floor while Mav looks like he doesn’t have a lick of guilt for the chaos he’s just caused.

“Good. She isn’t coming back.” He’s narrowing his eyes at my manager, and I swear he’s just signed his death warrant.

“Maverick!” I get up, momentarily forgetting about my state of undress.

But I’m quickly reminded by his laser focus dropping to my chest, his eyes narrowing before he averts his gaze.

“No, I think he’s right. You pull in clients, honey, but no talent is worth taking out our best muscle.”

At this Mav snorts, smug either about the fact that he just took out what she calls their best or that he’s gotten me fired.

“Candy, please! Give me another chance. He isn’t my boyfriend, and this is just a misunderstanding.”

She looks between the three of us, an eyebrow raised. “He isn’t your boyfriend?”

“No. Definitely not. He’s my brother’s best friend. A little overprotective, but not my boyfriend.” I look toward Maverick and see that his arms are crossed over his chest, but he doesn’t dispute me. Thank God. I’d strangle him on the spot if he did.

“Tell you what. Since you are a customer favorite, I’ll let you take the night off and handle—whatever this is. But I expect you back tomorrow night, and if you give me any more shit, you’re out. You hear me?” She’s pursing her lips, her arched brow reaching higher if that’s even possible.

“Yes, Candy. Thank you so much.” I’m practically bowing in gratitude when Maverick places his flannel over me, his thick arms cradling me in that bridal position once more.

“Not your boyfriend my ass,” Candy mumbles under her breath as she leans down to assess Johnny’s damage.

I’m about to reassure her one last time but I’m carried through the threshold before I can say a word. And as the chilly night air dances across my skin,

“You’re up next, doll!” The head dancer calls out to me as I finish up my makeup.

It’s been three months since I started working here, and even though this gig started off as a ploy to ruffle Maverick’s feathers, I quite enjoy what I do. There’s this heady sense of empowerment, being able to bring men to their knees with just a little wiggle and shake.

“I’m coming!” I turn toward the door, ready to hit the stage but I hit a hard chest instead.

“Like fuck you are.” Maverick growls down at me, his thick fingers digging into my naked waist and making a full-bodied shiver wrack through me. I realize I’m wearing no more than underwear in front of the man that’s plagued my dreams for as long as I can remember, and my body has definitely taken notice.

“Mav?” His name comes out a soft whisper, I’m surprised he can even hear it.

“Don’t you Mav me.” His grip tightens around me as he pulls me harder into his towering frame. “What the fuck is this, Mel?”

Maverick’s eyes move behind me as he survey’s the changing room, clearly displeased with what he sees.

“Hey. You aren’t supposed to be back here!” I whisper-shriek, trying to wiggle out of his hold, but he isn’t having it.

“Answer me, Melissa. What are you doing here?” His piercing eyes find mine and I’m immobilized, turning into the puddle of mush he always manages to make me.

“Working. I’m working.” I stare back at him defiantly, unwilling to back down.

He scoffs, his chest vibrating so close to my lips I’m tempted to lean in and kiss it. “No. You aren’t. Not anymore.” His hands fall from my waist and trail down to my hips before he turns me around and pushes me toward the vanity I’d just left. “Get your shit. We’re leaving.”

“Oh, no. I’m not.” Now that I’m not engulfed in his scent and can finally think again, I’ve regained my senses. “This is my job, Maverick. I can’t just leave. You heard Candy. I’m up next.”

I swear I hear my crush outright growl before I’m being hoisted in the air, my body being cradled bridal style as we make it past the vanity and toward the rear exit. “Fuck your things, I can get them later.”

Instinctively, my arms wrap around Maverick’s thick shoulders before I’m registering what he’s just said. “Hold up! I can’t just leave!”

“You can, and you are.”

“Hey! You don’t get to decide that! You aren’t my father!” I’m beating on his chest now, trying to get him to slow down, but it’s having no effect.

“Yes, I do. I may not be your father, but you clearly need a Daddy.” He’s staring straight ahead, eyes laser focused on the door.

“Maverick! No!” I give his chest one hard shove. “You don’t get to abandon me and then come in here and call the shots.”

We stop so fast I’m surprised we haven’t hit some invisible barrier.

“Abandoned you?” Maverick is finally looking down at me, his eyes incredulous. “What on God’s green earth makes you think I’ve abandoned you?”

My face heats at this realization. Truth be told, I wasn’t even aware I felt that way. But I guess it makes sense.

Sighing, I sink back into his hold, pressing my cheek against a rock-hard pectoral that has me almost forgetting I’m mad. Almost.

“You left me. What else would you call it? For three years, you’ve trailed me like a second shadow, and then a couple of months ago you vanished without so much as a goodbye.”

His body stiffens beneath me, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. Good.

“I had some business to handle. But it doesn’t matter. I’m here now.”

I scrunch my face, hating that it bothers me so much. I shouldn’t care. Shouldn’t be hung up on this guy who clearly only sees me as a burden.

I’m about to tell him that it does matter. That he isn’t my keeper and that I can make my own decisions when the door to the outside opens and one of the bouncers steps in.

“Mel—” Looking back I see it’s Johnny, and by the color of his face I can see he isn’t thrilled. “What the fuck is this? You know boyfriends aren’t allowed back here.”

“I’m not—”

“We’re not—”

Mav and I go to answer at the same time, our befuddled responses only serving to cause Johnny more concern if his raised brow and clenching jaw are any indication.

“Someone better answer me quick, or I’m about to beat this man’s ass.”

“I’d like to see you fuckin’ try,” Mav growls as his fingers dig deeper into my flesh, his body going rigid next to mine.

“Hey, hey. There’s no need for dick measuring.” Needing to prevent a fight, I step in—well, as much as my current position allows. “Mav was just about to leave, right?”

I look back at my captor, eyes narrowing, willing him to agree. But of course, he doesn’t.

“Only way I’m leaving is with you, baby doll.” He raises a brow, not giving a shit that my nails are digging into his very muscular traps right now.

“Yeah. That’s not going to work.” Johnny stares Maverick down as he takes one step closer. “She’s needed on stage.”

“She doesn’t work here anymore.”

“Maverick!” I shriek, slapping at his chest with the palm of my hand. “You can’t say that! I’ll lose my job!”

“Good.” The one word comes out more of a grunt than English, but it comes out clear enough for Johnny to hear.

“I don’t think she’s in agreement with you, so I suggest you put her down.”

“I won’t be doing that, so I suggest you get out of my way.”

“That’s not happening.” Before I can fully assess what’s going on, Johnny moves to rip me out of Maverick’s arms.

A bad move. My brother’s best friend has always been a force to be reckoned with, but now? He seems downright lethal.

In one fluid motion, one arm places me on the ground while the other reaches for Johnny’s throat and Maverick’s meaty fingers grip onto his opponent’s windpipe like it’s Willy Wonka’s last golden ticket.

“No! Stop!” I’m shrieking as I climb Maverick’s back.

My arms are clinging to his shoulders as I try to pry the two apart, but neither are budging. Johnny is trying to hold his own, but the poor guy is turning blue, and I don’t know how much more he can take.

“You’re going to kill him! Stop! Please!” I plead with all I have but nothing gives. I might as well be talking to a wall.

Feeling all hope leave me, I drop to my knees, my arms still trailing above me as I cling to Maverick’s legs. This action seems to break my protector from his trance because he’s now looking at me, a visible shudder wracking his body while his eyes rake over my bare flesh.

The climbing must have jostled my top and my breasts are now exposed to both men, and what I see shakes me to my core.

Hunger like no other blazes in Maverick’s eyes. The man is starved for every inch of me as his jaw clenches and his stare roams me up and down.

I can’t help it. The sheer lust running through me has a whimper escaping from my lips and it’s enough to break the spell I cast on the man of my dreams. Just like a red flag, the sound turns Maverick into a raging bull and there’s no stopping what ensues.

As if on instinct, Maverick’s head whips back to Johnny whose stare is locked on me. “Eyes off her, or I’ll rip them out.”

Johnny laughs sardonically. “Oh, this is rich. You do know she works at a titty bar, right?”

I’ve never once felt dirty for what I do, but right now, listening to Johnny, I can’t help but feel icky. My arms quickly wrap around my body protecting it from unwanted glances and Maverick doesn’t miss a beat, with a rapid one-two, he’s punched out Johnny’s eyes—the bouncer now stumbling back into the door he’d closed not moments before.

“What in-the-ever-loving—” Candy walks in and gasps at the site before her. “Melissa?! You know the rules! No boyfriends in the club! This is grounds for termination.” She’s rushing over to poor Johnny who’s a crumpled mess on the floor while Mav looks like he doesn’t have a lick of guilt for the chaos he’s just caused.

“Good. She isn’t coming back.” He’s narrowing his eyes at my manager, and I swear he’s just signed his death warrant.

“Maverick!” I get up, momentarily forgetting about my state of undress.

But I’m quickly reminded by his laser focus dropping to my chest, his eyes narrowing before he averts his gaze.

“No, I think he’s right. You pull in clients, honey, but no talent is worth taking out our best muscle.”

At this Mav snorts, smug either about the fact that he just took out what she calls their best or that he’s gotten me fired.

“Candy, please! Give me another chance. He isn’t my boyfriend, and this is just a misunderstanding.”

She looks between the three of us, an eyebrow raised. “He isn’t your boyfriend?”

“No. Definitely not. He’s my brother’s best friend. A little overprotective, but not my boyfriend.” I look toward Maverick and see that his arms are crossed over his chest, but he doesn’t dispute me. Thank God. I’d strangle him on the spot if he did.

“Tell you what. Since you are a customer favorite, I’ll let you take the night off and handle—whatever this is. But I expect you back tomorrow night, and if you give me any more shit, you’re out. You hear me?” She’s pursing her lips, her arched brow reaching higher if that’s even possible.

“Yes, Candy. Thank you so much.” I’m practically bowing in gratitude when Maverick places his flannel over me, his thick arms cradling me in that bridal position once more.

“Not your boyfriend my ass,” Candy mumbles under her breath as she leans down to assess Johnny’s damage.

I’m about to reassure her one last time but I’m carried through the threshold before I can say a word. And as the chilly night air dances across my skin, it dawns on me that this is what I wanted. But if so, then why does this victory feel so hollow?